Tom Brady answers questions from the Buffalo media.
Q: What are your thoughts on [the perception that the Patriots are in decline] and does that give you any added motivation to go out and prove that you are still one of the premier teams in the league?
TB: Obviously, every year there is change. There's transition. Every offseason there's transition. We're not the team that we were six years ago. A lot of guys have moved on. But the goal is to be the best team for 2010. You can sit here and make a bunch of comparisons, but no one cares what the Saints did last year. Everyone wants to know who's going to be the winner this year. I think that's the goal of our team. Sure, there are going to be different strengths and different weaknesses and different ways to get the job done. We've got to be able to figure those out over the course of a long season. Obviously, every team...and I would say we are a long way from the team that we want to be and hopefully the team that we're going to be. Each week, that's why we're out there practicing and trying to make improvements and trying to get better. If I thought we didn't have a chance, then that wouldn't be very fun. Of course I always think that we have a great chance to accomplish our goals.
Bill Belichick responds to questions about the Patriots young corners.
I think our players are working hard. It's a learning experience for young players every time they step out on the field, no matter what position they play. But hopefully we can continue to improve and get better over the course of the season. I think as long as we work hard and pay attention to the details, do a good job on our scouting report, and understanding the game plan that we have enough talent and players to improve out there and be competitive.
I think Darius had a good preseason. He played about half the time last year, and he's built on that playing time this year. Like anybody there are always things that could be better, but Darius is working hard and he's improving. He's a better player than he was last year; [He] has a better understanding of our defense, and what offenses are doing. I think he's gotten better.
Ian Rapoport catches Tully Banta Cain talking about playing a full sixty-minutes.
"You got to create a mentality saying that whatever part of practice it is, we gotta go full-tilt," linebacker Tully Banta-Cain said today. "We get in those situations toward the end of practice where we keep working on end-game situations, end-half situations at the end of practice. Guys are a little bit more tired, those are the times of practice when you work on your focus and being more intense and finishing plays.
"I think it’s a focus because we’re being out-scored in the second half in our first two games," Banta-Cain continued, "so it’s definitely now a point of emphasis that we’re not coming out and playing our best in the second half. Definitely, the antennas are up this week… Obviously, we still gotta start strong, but we definitely gotta have stronger second halves."
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino notes Buffalo may be winless so far, but the Patriots aren't taking them lightly. Plus notes from Thursday's practice.
- Patriots-Bills Thursday Injury Report.
- Conference Calls with the Buffalo Media: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick transcripts.
- John Cockrell Friday Out-Takes: NFL - New. Fall. Lineup.
- Patriots Today - Pats won't be overlooking Buffalo. (3.25 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Banta-Cain vs. Fitzpatrick. (1.58 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Thursday in the locker room. (4.03 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Shalise Manza Young reports the Bills' trio of running backs, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller could give the Patriots defense trouble.
- Jennifer Toland says the Patriots are wary of Spiller breaking loose.
- Tom King writes that Fitzpatrick brings smarts and efficiency to Bills backfield.
- Gary Marbry offers his Patriots-Bills preview nuggetpalooza.
- Ron Borges reminds us that the Patriots beat the Bills twice last season by an average of only four points, and the veterans are not taking this team lightly.
- Mike Rodak notes the Patriots are staying on edge with the 0-2 Bills.
- Mark Farinella sees the Patriots making the Bills sound like contenders.
- Christopher Price reports Bills safety Donte Whitner is sick of living life as a punchline.
- Mike Reiss presents his three keys for the Patriots vs. Bills.
- Ian Rapoport tells us what happened at Thursday's practice.
- Karen Guregian writes Vince Wilfork knows the fans are uneasy over last Sunday's loss. He was disturbed too, but isn't panicked about the D.
- Ian Rapoport says Gerard Warren has settled in well with the Patriots, in better shape than he has been in years and loving his new team.
- Michael Vega notes Gerard Warren's two-sack performance will be memorable.
- Albert Breer notes Randy Moss' early season production is lagging well behind normal.
- Mike Rodak heard WR Torry Holt speak highly of teammate Randy Moss to Jim Rome as a guest on his ESPN show, Jim Rome is Burning.
- Ian Rapoport notes S Brandon McGowan's mindset is on getting his body right.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Wes Welker feels Kevin Faulk's pain, offering encouragement to his friend; Taylor Price is waiting for his chance to play, watching film and putting in more study time; Injured players Brandon McGowan and Leigh Bodden spent time in the locker room yesterday; Belichick is impressed with the hard work of Jarrad Page who is trying to get up to speed quickly so he can contribute.
- Boston Globe staff makes its Week 3 picks. Three out of four pick Pats over Bills.
- Kirk Minihane makes his Week 3 Picks.
- Mike Reiss says Vegas still sees Pats as Super Bowl contenders.
- Paul Flannery highlights Stephen Neal's appearance on WEEI this morning.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
- Shalise Manza Young offers the transcript of her weekly online chat.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tedy Bruschi offers his breakdown of Pats vs. Bills, saying the Patriots must win the mental battle.
- Mark Schlereth and Tedy Bruschi (ESPN) Preview: Bills at Patriots. (1 min. video)
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Brady knows limitations against Fitzpatrick.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) AccuScore gives Bills little shot at Patriots.
- David Fleming (ESPN) Breaking down the Bills' QB situation.
- Peter King (SI) Weekend Pickoff for Week 3. Pats over Bills 20-9.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Week 3 NFL tip sheet.
- Jim Trotter (SI) A QB's body language can be difference in winning and losing.
VIEW FROM BUFFALO
- Chris Brown (Buffalobills.com) Whitner: Laughing must stop.
- Mike Rutsey (Toronto Sun) No laughing matter to Bills.
- Allen Wilson (Buffalo News) Gronkowski right on target with Pats.
- Sal Maiorana (Democrat and Chronicle) Lee Evans continues to give it his best, but he's being wasted in Buffalo's horrific offense.